From trash bin to (hopefully) track win!

Instructions for jockeys in traditional horse races include directives like “Stay in your lanes,” “No pushing or shoving” and “No cutting off other horses.”

But the little racers in the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals event, now in its 29^th running at Los Alamitos Race Course, would just give a horse laugh to the rules, because this run is anything but traditional. First, the races don’t involve wagering, and the closest thing to a mishap would be a cold nose on your ankle. Second, as short in stature as jockeys have to be, none are tiny enough to mount even a standard-size dachshund at its tallest. Besides, training a dachshund to respond to orders would spoil the fun of the event. It’s pretty obvious that it’s impossible to do so anyway.

The Wiener Nationals have run at Los Al since 1996, with a couple of dark seasons brought on by COVID-19. Besides being a great family night out, the Nationals serve as a fundraiser for the pets at the volunteer-run Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC). The mix of cuteness and wackiness has made the Nationals so popular that in 28 meetes, it’s so far raised close to $300,000 for SBACC through its ticket and T-shirt sales. Last year’s event brought in $14,000, which purchases food, toys, flea meds, leashes and litter for the cats and dogs. The money also pays extensive vet bills, including spay and neuter.

The Wiener Races feature about 100 dogs competing in a series of 50-yard dachshund dashes. Four feature races include the Diaper Dash for puppies under a year old; Long in the Tail for sausage seniors 8 years and older; he Superstars Race, which the organizers describe as “a clash of titans featuring past champions and fan favorites”; and a new category called the Tweeners, featuring dachshunds from 6 to 7 years old. People come from all over hoping that their little low-riders can win any of the meets and maybe take home the grand prize: $1,000, a custom doghouse shaped like a Wienerschnitzel restaurant, and the "Fastest Wiener in the West" trophy.

“We got some from Texas —Houston, San Antonio — Albuquerque, New Mexico; Arizona; Boise; some from up north,” said Orlando Gutierrez, Los Alamitos Race Course’s marketing and publicity director. “I’m sure I’m forgetting a state or two! We got a lot of them coming from everywhere and a lot of home-grown locals, too!”

That’s the final difference between a horse race and the Wiener Nationals — the entrants are house pets, and their backstories are diverse. Some may have come from breeders, but that’s not the rule. The Oliva family’s Minnie, for instance, was rescued from a revolting situation. The Olivas live in Long Beach, which has a vibrant animal community, and although Rachel Oliva said she doesn’t rescue animals, you may beg to differ.

“Two years ago, we were out walking, and we heard this noise from a box in the trash can,” Oliva said. “My daughter was curious, so we opened the box, and there was a puppy. She was just a few weeks old. So, we took her in, and ever since, we just love her.”

Not long after, the family brought in Minnie. Minnie was a puppy that a family friend couldn’t take care of, so he asked the Olivas if Duchess would like a sister. Now, both dogs are competing in their maiden race!

On the other side of the experience spectrum is 15-year-old Sisi, who’s retiring after this meet.

“We’re gonna do one more for her,” mom Kiley Majeski said. “We contemplated not running this year due to her age, but we have over 40 people already showing up for Sisi.”

Sisi also has a story. Majeski and her partner, Jason Gharrebo, took her in during the COVID-19 pandemic when friend told them about a homeless dachshund and asked if they’d like to house her.

“Nobody wanted her, and so we took her,” Majeski said. “We originally thought it was going to be a foster situation, and, well, here we are six years later!”

Sisi was 9 years old when she came to live with Majeski and Gharrebo. Pets that age are considered as seniors by rescues. Sisi in her role as racing star has become an ambassador for senior-pet adoption. Adopting a senior dog, cat or rabbit, Majeski said, will give them a great end-of-life.

“We have a bigger purpose than winning an award or just being the fastest,” Majeski said. “Senior dogs still have a lot of a lot of life left. We’ve had six great years with [Sisi], and I hope that our story might inspire somebody to adopt a senior that doesn’t have a home right now.”

Gutierrez agrees that although being a wiener winner is wonderful, everyone, dogs in particular, benefit from the camaraderie among the participants and how much the doxies and their humans love one another.

“It’s great for these dogs to show all kinds of skills and where they’re from, but more importantly, how just having that second chance to make a family or a couple happy,” he said. “And people meet each other and see how special this group is. From here, they go on to participate in different events. We’re so proud to be a part of this community!”

Enjoy an evening of silliness and awww-some little doggies! 29^th Running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals kicks off Saturday, July 11, 6:30 p.m. at Los Alamitos Race Course, 4961 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos. Free general parking is included. General Admission tickets are $3 per person on the day of the event; children 17 and under are admitted free. Premium VIP seating is available to enjoy the event in style — reserve your seats by calling 714-820-2681.

For more information on the 29th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, click this link or call 714-820-2690.

YOURS DROOLY

Seal Beach Animal Care Center is a volunteer-run shelter where dogs and cats can stay in comfort until someone comes to take them home or for the rest of their lives, whichever comes first. Thanks to the money raised every year through donations and events like the Wiener Nationals, every pet at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC) can win the grand prize of a forever home.

Meet four of the winning contenders for your heart, and read what the SBACC staff and volunteers have said about them. Click the Adoptables tab on SBACC’s home page to see the whole gang. Click this link to find out how to adopt any of them, and go to the Ways to Give tab on the home page to widen the winner’s circle!

Felix is a handsome young man of about a year and a half. He was pulled from a shelter in January 2025 when he was 6 months old — he didn’t get the right family the first time around. Felix is smart and energetic. In his time at SBACC, he’s learned how to play fetch like a pro and knows commands like sit, down and even touch! He’s an A+ passenger in a car! On top of his big brain, he has an even bigger heart! Felix is very affectionate and just loves to be with his friends. Even if ‘s off playing with his toy, he likes to know that you’re close by. He loves other dogs but can be a rough player — he can be overbearing for dogs that don’t match his play style. He would certainly love to have another doggy friend in the home, but he can be an only pup, too. As for people, he’s still a bit of an overgrown puppy who likes to use his mouth, so teenagers would be more appropriate for him than little kids. Felix will truly thrive in the right home and become one of the best furry companions that you have ever had!

Sisi would love it if you adopted Juno! She’s a sweet senior girl of 10 years who’s treat motivated and loves to walk! Juno is a basenji/terrier mix of great size — she’s about 25 pounds with some long legs! She knows lots of adorable tricks like sitting pretty, twirling and dancing on her hind legs. You’d never guess that she’s nearing 11 — she has a lot more life to live! Juno would be a terrific walking buddy and companion for somebody willing to give a senior girl a chance! She’d love to go to a quiet and slightly active home.

Belladonna has a long story to tell, especially for a brown tabby who’s only a year and a half old. Belladonna was rescued from someone’s backyard and arrived at SBACC in critical condition, nearly paralyzed. She was unable to sit, stand, or even lift her head. FIP was initially suspected, but an emergency vet visit revealed a serious lung infection. Treatment began immediately, and she started to get better. She lifted her head, sat up, stood up, and began walking and eating on her own. Then, just days before Christmas, Belladonna took a sudden and frightening turn. Her breathing became rapid and labored, and she was rushed back to the hospital where she spent nearly a week on oxygen. Further testing revealed histoplasmosis, a rare fungal infection that often requires months of ongoing treatment. To avoid prolonged hospitalization and to give Belladonna the best chance of recovery, SBACC purchased an oxygen chamber so she could safely continue treatment at the shelter. She gradually weaned off the oxygen and made a remarkable recovery — she became alert, affectionate, playful and eager for attention. She’s now healthy and waiting for her forever home. If you’re looking for a young lap kitty who loves to be held and cuddled and demands attention, that’s Belladonna!

With his jaunty ascot and noble demeanor, Earl’s name suits him well. But his time at SBACC began with a fall from royal favor. Earl had a home, but his family didn’t want him anymore and put him out on the street. A neighbor felt sorry for him, took him in, and fed him. However, she had two dogs and a cat and couldn’t keep Earl, so she brought him to SBACC. He was adopted again, but his adopters brought him back because he didn’t want to share them with their other cat! Earl went home again to be the only cat in the home, but he came back again because his adopter worked long hours and had a very small place. Earl needs someone who can spend more time with him and has enough space for him to run and play. He’s 2 years old, is friendly and talkative, and loves attention. He needs a home where he’ll be loved forever.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Trivia for Lebanon fundraiser

Join Cool Cat Collective and local Lebanese Long Beach resident Sarah Salamé for an evening of trivia, cats and fundraising to support Lebanon’s people and animals. Answer over 60 questions about Lebanon and cats, and learn while you compete for fun prizes. As an added bonus, the adoptable cats from TippedEars will join and whisper the answers in your ear! Cool Cat Collective will donate all proceeds from the event to support the Lebanese Red Cross and Animals Lebanon — the previous Lebanon Trivia event raised over $1,100 between ticket sales and contributions! This event has limited capacity, so come early with your team, or play solo!

The Lebanon Trivia fundraiser takes place Thursday, July 9, 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Cool Cat Collective, 2741 E. 4th St., C, Long Beach. Tickets are $15 each; purchase them here.

Pet Loss and Illness Support Group

The worst day in the life you share with a pet is the day you have to say goodbye forever. Grief is personal on the one hand, and on the other hand, you have a lot of company who get what you’re going through. Helen Sanders CatPAWS rescue gets it, too, and offers a space for anyone who also gets it, who’ll never say to you, “But it was just a cat.” Or a dog, or a rabbit, or a horse, or a goldfish. The members of this group will listen, connect, and support you, and you’ll do the same for them.

The Pet Loss and Illness Support Group takes place Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at the Bay Shore Church, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. No cost for the meeting, but let the leads know that you’re coming here.

Whiskers & Words open mic night

Think you can get a word in edgewise with a bunch of cats milling around? Feline Good Social Club (FGSC) would like you to try! The cat lounge invites local writers, musicians and cat lovers to Whiskers & Words, a unique open mic night dedicated entirely to the pointy-eared characters in the audience and at large. Human attendees can step into the spotlight or settle into the audience while the lounge’s free-roaming, adoptable resident cats do their best to distract. Performers may share original poetry, read favorite cat-centric literature, or strum acoustic songs inspired by their four-legged muses. It’s the perfect opportunity for animal advocates and creatives to express their devotion to felines in a cozy, supportive community space. “Our resident kitties make the absolute coziest audience in Long Beach,” said Pam Leslie, Chief Feline Officer (CFO) of FGSC. “Whether you are stepping up to the microphone or just soaking up the creative energy, you get to cuddle with adoptable cats the entire time. It is a wonderful way to balance local art with vital animal socialization.”

Whiskers & Words takes place Saturday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m. at Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach. Tickets are $19.99; purchase tickets or sign up to perform at this link. All proceeds support local cat rescues.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.